Elders, Honourable Dignitaries, Special Guests, member of the Cumberland House Cree Nation and the village of Cumberland House and Nisto Awasisak Memorial School Staff and students….. Good afternoon! This occasion gives us reason to gather in celebration of a new school and in celebration of a new name. I have been asked to make a presentation on the name of this facility, Nisto Awasisak, and in doing so, will also provide you with some insight on the educational history leading up to the present, based on information that has been gathered from various people. For the Cumberland House Cree Nation members who lived in Pine Bluff, and education was provided mainly by Mr. Sicotte, who taught them how to read, write, and do arithmetic at the Pine Bluff School. In the mid 1960's the members relocated to Cumberland House. Some chose to attend Charlebois School in the village while others attended residential schools away from home. Eventually, the idea of band controlled schools came into being and in 1984 the Johnny Stewart Memorial School was opened to students from Kindergarten to grade 9. It remained in operation until June of 1999. When the doors to the old school closed, the Nisto Awasisak Memorial School opened its doors to students from Nursery to Grade 12. Of significance in this brief history is that only the last two schools have been named after band members. It is significant because it marks a time in history where Aboriginal people took ownership of education and decided on the names of schools. Decision making is always a sign that people have taken control and in this case, it was clearly taking control of education. Both schools were in memory of people who had touched our lives in some way. The Johnny Stewart Memorial School was named after a leader who would have now been an Elder. Along with previous chiefs and councilors, they accomplished the goal of establishing an education for the awasisak of the Cumberland House Cree Nation. The Nisto Awasisak Memorial School is in memory of three children who would have shared in the excitement of going to a new school this year. However, the lives of all three boys were lost as a result of a drowning incident on May 22, 1995. The tragedy shocked us and made us feel even weaker against the mighty current of the Saskatchewan River. It was an awakening, one which made us reexamine our own lives and the lives of those we love. We said that 'life is short' and it was so much shorter for: Marlon Sewap born on March 9, 1991…Marlon was 4 years old and was attending Nursery School at the time; for his older brother Morgan Sewap born on February 13, 1990 who was 5 years old and enrolled in Kindergarten and for their playmate Christopher Greenleaf born on July 8, 1987 who was 7 years old and in Grade 2. When I spoke to the parents of Marlon, Morgan and Christoher, it was made clear the children seemed to know their destinies. It is also evident that throughout their young lives, they made us understand what matters in life. All three boys were close not only to their parents but especially close to their grandparents. The tragedy brought us to a closer understanding that it was faith, love and hope (the greatest of these being love) that strengthened and continued to heal the families and the rest of us. It is in their memory that this new school was given the Cree name 'Nisto Awasisak' which means 'Three Children. Nisto Awasisak, a name voted on and decided by the band membership through a democratic process. It represents a change… it is as if Johnny Stewart and previous chiefs and councils who have fought hard in generations past are now handing over the role to the present generation and handing over a major responsibility…that of education. That responsibility must be shared by the parents and guardians of the students who attend Nisto Awasisak. The name of the school has gone from an elder to a child, a child which represents newness, curiosity, playfulness, adventure and learning. It is as if an elder is telling us, "We have accomplished our task…to build a school for this Cree Nation, one which will teach all students from preschool to grade 12…it is now up to the children to do what they can with the opportunities that will be provided from this facility. The lives and the deaths of Marlon, Morgan, and Christopher are unforgettable and it is in their memory that we will continue to operate Nisto Awasisak. It is in keeping of the three important things which strengthened us that is the responsibility must be carried through. It is in the spirit of faith, love and hope that we can further strengthen our given responsibility of educating the children. Faith - we must have faith in the teachers to aid in the development of the mind, the heart and the soul of every child. Hope - we must have hope so that we overcome difficulties and trust that all we do will help each child. Love - we must show the children that without love, all else fails. As elders, leaders, parents and teachers, we will always remember the efforts of past leaders who have worked hard to provide the best education for all children. Always in our memories will be the nisto awasisak whom we lost and who fittingly represent a new beginning, a renewed faith, a stronger spirit, the hope of a better future, and love through care and respect for others. It is in this spirit that Nisto Awasisak will grow and develop and it will be the way that all children…especially Marlon, Morgan and Christopher would like to see it. |
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Cumberland House Cree Nation |
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